Named after Barcelona’s famous food market, Boqueria restaurant is located in Acre Lane, between Brixton and Clapham. The 540sq.ft site caters for 30 covers, with space for an additional 16 in the adjoining bar area.
“We want each and every customer to have a great experience in Boqueria,” Jaime Armenter, the restaurant’s owner, told BigHospitality. “It wasn’t easy opening a restaurant in the current climate, but we found a way.
“Brixton has a fantastic restaurant scene and hopefully we’ll add to that. There's a real energy that our customers bring to the place and there’re so proud of the area and what it represents and we are too.
“I originally came to England seven years ago to study. Having seen a lot of tapas restaurants here I knew I had to do something different. I wanted to show a broader image of modern Spain and felt some other tapas places were letting us down. I love design, and wine and food too, so Boqueria was the natural way to take my concept forward.”
On the menu
Armenter, 24, has teamed up with head chef Enriqe Canadas, who previously worked in restaurants across Spain for 12 years, to devise Boqueria’s menu. It offers tapas dishes including Bunuelos Bacalao (cod fritters), Canelones Cantalanes (Aubergine cannelloni with goats cheese and mushrooms) and classic Tortilla’s and Croquetas.
Also on offer is a selection of Spanish cheeses, paellas and desserts including Tarta de Santiago (Santiago Almond cake) and Crema Catalana (Caramelized creamy custard).
“The idea is you can pick and choose to suit your taste and budget,” added Armenter. “We want each of the classics to define traditional quality tapas and the market dishes are a bit more adventurous.
“I think sharing the experience is the key - it brings the diners together. It's all about trying great quality food and having a good time. In some ways Spanish cuisine and wine abroad has been playing catch up with other countries like Italy and France, maybe now is our time.”
Boqueria Café and future UK expansion…
A Boqueria Spanish Café will open next door to the main restaurant in Spring, offering a more laid back feel.
Armenter added: “The Café’s all about quality coffee and Spanish food you don't get in other places such as Churros con Chocolate, Bocadillos de Tortilla and Pinchos. Café culture is big in Spain and we want to try and bring that vibe here.”
Speaking of Boqueria’s future expansion in the UK, he said: “I hope so, but my main focus at the moment is this restaurant and ensuring it gets even better.”